Combination box, dispenser, and display

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to products that are sold as continuous rolls, such as tape or wrapping paper. In addition, this disclosure relates to products that are sold as continuous rolls of perforated strips, such as individually wrapped bandages or adhesive strips that secure positive airway pressure (PAP) devices to the nose. During shipping, when closed, this box serves to protect products contained therein. When the box is opened, it becomes a dispenser of rolls or continuous rolls of perforated strips. Furthermore, when opened, a display panel is revealed that provides additional information, such as instructions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a United States National Stage filing from PCTApplication No. PCT/US21/61918 filed on Dec. 4, 2021, which claimspriority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63/121,858 filed on Dec. 4,2020, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to products sold withcontinuous and, in particular, to a combination box, dispenser, anddisplay.

BACKGROUND

Some products are sold as continuous rolls (e.g., tape, wrapping paper,aluminum foil, waxed paper, plastic film). In other cases, products aresold as continuous rolls of perforated strips (e.g., individuallywrapped bandages, candy, plasticware eating utensils, adhesive stripsthat secure positive airway pressure (PAP) devices to the nose). It canbe cumbersome for the user to handle the rolls or continuous rolls ofperforated strips directly; therefore, it is helpful for the box to alsoserve as a dispenser.

Some products are complex to use and require instructions. The exteriorsurface of the box is often too small to accommodate instructions, so aseparate instruction sheet must be included within the box.Unfortunately, it is easy for the instruction sheet to become separatedfrom the product, which opens the potential for the product to bemisused. Embodiment of the disclosure are directed to overcoming thisproblem.

In conventional dispensers of rolled products, once the package isopened, it cannot be reclosed thus making the contents vulnerable tocontamination from the environment. Embodiment of the disclosure aredirected to overcoming this problem.

SUMMARY

This disclosure relates to products that are sold as continuous rolls,such as tape or

wrapping paper. In addition, this disclosure relates to products thatare sold as continuous rolls of perforated strips, such as individuallywrapped bandages or adhesive strips that secure positive airway pressure(PAP) devices to the nose. During shipping, when closed, this box servesto protect products contained therein. When the box is opened, itbecomes a dispenser of rolls or continuous rolls of perforated strips.Furthermore, when opened, a display panel is revealed that providesadditional information, such as instructions.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may beadvantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases usedthroughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” aswell as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term“or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and“associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean toinclude, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be containedwithin, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with,cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to orwith, have, have a property of, or the like. The phrase “at least oneof,” when used with a list of items, means that different combinationsof one or more of the listed items may be used, and only one item in thelist may be needed. For example, “at least one of: A, B, and C” includesany of the following combinations: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C;and A and B and C. Definitions for certain words and phrases areprovided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in theart should understand that in many if not most instances, suchdefinitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined wordsand phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features and advantages of the technology of the presentdisclosure will be apparent from the following description of particularembodiments of those technologies, as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. It should be noted that the drawings are not drawn to scale;however, the emphasis instead is being placed on illustrating theprinciples of the technological concepts. Also, in the drawings the likereference characters refer to the same parts throughout the differentviews. The drawings depict only typical embodiments of the presentdisclosure and, therefore, are not to be considered limiting in scope.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C shows the exteriors of a fully closed box, namely afront exterior, and top exterior, and a side exterior.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D shows exteriors of an open box 200, namely afront exterior, a top exterior, a side exterior, and a side interior ina configuration using a serrated edge to distribute a product.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D shows the exterior of an open box 200, namely afront exterior, a top exterior, a side exterior, and a side interiorusing a serrated edge in conjunction with a channel at a top of the boxto distribute a product.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D shows the exteriors of an open box 200, namelya front exterior, a top exterior, a side exterior, and a side interiorusing a serrated edge in conjunction with a channel at a bottom of thebox to distribute a product.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D shows the exterior of an open box 200, namely afront exterior, a top exterior, a side exterior, and a side interiorusing a slot to distribute a Z-folded product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures described below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present disclosure in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the principles of the present disclosure inventionmay be implemented in any type of suitably arranged device or system.Additionally, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C shows the exterior of a fully closed box 100,namely a front exterior 100A, a top exterior 100B, and a side exterior100C.

When closed, the product contained therein (as described more fullybelow) is protected while being stored at the manufacturer, while beingtransported, while being displayed on a store shelf, and while beingstored by the consumer. The exterior surfaces can provide informationabout the product, which informs the consumer when making a purchase.

Although a particular proportion of the sizing of the exteriors isshown, it should be understood that different sizes may be used indifferent configurations. Embodiments of the disclosure are not limitedto the particular proportions shown. Likewise, a variety of differentsizes may be used. The size of the box 100 in particular configurationsmay be sized according to the products to be distributed from the box.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D shows the exterior of an open box 200, namely afront exterior 200A, a top exterior 200B, a side exterior 200C, and aside interior 200D.

In FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, the open box 200 has a serrated edge 205for cutting a continuous roll 210. In this case, the serrated teeth 205are pointing upward so the roll 210 can be torn while pulling downward.In this embodiment, when the box 200 is open, the roll 210 is exposedwhen looking downward. This exposure allows the potential forenvironmental contaminants, such as dirt, to contact the roll. While aparticular shape of a serrated edge 205 is shown, other shapes may beused to facility the cutting. Likewise, while the roll 210 is describedas continuous, in particular configuration, the roll 210 may haveperforated portions to facilitate a tearing at preselect locations.

The box lid 207 is divided into two horizontal portions (207A, 207B)defined by the horizontal fold line, as indicated by the horizontaldotted line. The center horizontal portion 207B of the lid 207 coversthe top of the box 200 and the end horizontal portion 207A covers thefront of the box 200.

Two vertical fold lines in the box lid 207 segment it into threevertical portions (207C, 207D, and 207E). The center vertical portion207D is continuous with the back of the box 200 and allows the lid 207to fold. The two end vertical portions 207C, 207E are cut so they arenot continuous with the back of the box 200. This feature allows the twoend vertical portions 207C, 207E to fold inward and thereby stiffen thelid 207 so it remains vertical even when not held, thus forming adisplay. The interior surface of the lid 207 may contain additionalinformation, such as instructions for proper use of the product, storageinformation, advertising, company contact information, emergencycontacts, etc.

The tip of the lid 207 contains one or more tabs (one tab 211 is shown)that can be inserted into a slot 213 at the bottom of the box 200, thusclosing the box 200. The insertion may be repeated, thus allowing thebox 200 to be re-closed throughout the life of the product. The tab maycontain additional information, such as instructions on how to make thevertical folds and thereby allow the lid 207 to stay erect and displayadditional information.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D show a box 300 similar to FIGS. 2A, 2B 2C, and2D. Unless specifically noted below, each individual feature in FIGS.3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D corresponds to similar features FIGS. 2A, 2B 2C, and2D except that the numbering is incremented by 100. As to specificdifferences, when open, the roll 310 is covered with a cover 323 whenlooking downward (as seen in FIG. 3B), thus protecting the roll 310 fromenvironmental contamination (e.g., dirt) when the box 300 is opened.

FIG. 3D shows the interior of the box 300 when viewed from the side. Aninterior horizontal plate 317 defines a channel 321 through which theroll 310 travels. A hole 315 (or holes) in the cover 323 of the box 300allows fingers to contact the roll 310 and push it through the channel321, thus exposing the roll 310 to the serrated edge 305 so it can betorn.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D show a box 400 similar to the box 300. Unlessspecifically noted below, each individual feature in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C,and 4D corresponds to similar features in FIGS. 3A, 3B 3C, and 3D exceptthat the numbering is incremented by 100. In FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D,the serrated teeth 405 are pointing downward so the roll 410 can be tornwhile pulling upward. Because the serrated teeth 405 are pointingdownward, a hole 415 can be on the bottom of the box 400; and thehorizontal plate 417 and channel 421 are likewise positioned at thebottom the box 400.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D show an open box 500 that contains continuousrolls 527 of perforated strips that are Z-folded to fit into the box500. Unless specifically noted below, each individual feature in FIGS.5A, 5B, 5C, and 4D corresponds to similar features in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C,and 4D except that the numbering is incremented by 100. Because of theperforations, the slot 525 through which the continuous rolls 527 ofperforated strips are dispensed does not require a serrated edge.

The slot 525 may generally be configured to resist a dispensing of thecontinuous roll when stored and allowing a dispensing of the continuousroll with minimal force (e.g., pulling back a portion of the slot).Although a particular shape and configuration of the slot is shown,other shapes and configurations of the slot may be utilized.

Although this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generallyassociated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodimentsand methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly,the above description of example embodiments does not define orconstrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterationsare also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of thisdisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for transporting and displayingproducts, the apparatus comprising: a body configured to hold products,the body having at least a top portion and a front portion; a lidconnected to the body, the lid having a first portion and a secondportion; wherein, when the body is in a closed state, the lid isconfigured to have the first portion cover the top portion of the bodyand the second portion cover at least a portion of the front portion ofthe body; and wherein, when the body is in a display state, at least aportion of the lid is configured to extend vertically, the verticalextension including at least a portion of the first portion and at leasta portion of the second portion.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe lid includes a horizontal fold line that divides the lid into thefirst portion and the second portion, and when the body is in the closedstate, a plane of the first portion is orthogonal to a plane of thesecond portion, when the body is in the display state, a plane of atleast a portion of the first portion is coplanar with a plane of atleast a portion of the second portion.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the products are exposed through the top portion when the bodyis in the display state.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bodyincludes a serrated edge on the front portion of the body.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein the serrated edge is located adjacent tothe top portion of the body.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein thebody has a bottom portion opposite the top portion, and the serratededge is located adjacent to the bottom portion of the body.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the top portion includes a cover with atleast one hole, the front portion includes a channel for dispensing ofthe products, and when the body is in an open state, the at least onehole in the cover allows fingers to contact the products and push themthrough the channel.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body has abottom portion opposite the top portion, and the bottom portion includesa cover with at least one hole, the front portion includes a channel fordispensing of the products, and when the body is in an open state, theat least one hole in the cover allows fingers to contact the productsand push the, through the channel.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe front portion of the body includes a slot that resists dispensing ofthe products when stored and allows dispensing of the products withminimal force, and the body lacks a serrated edge.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the front portion includes at least one slot, and thelid further comprises a tip having at least one tab configured forinsertion into the at least one slot when the body is in the closedstate.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid includes a verticalfold line that divides the lid into at least a first vertical portion, asecond vertical portion, and a center vertical portion, each of thefirst vertical portion, the second vertical portion, and the centervertical portion including a portion of the first portion and the secondportion, when the body is in the closed state, a plane of the firstportion is orthogonal to a plane of the second portion, when the body isin the display state, a plane of the first portion in the centervertical portion is coplanar with a plane of the second portion in thecenter vertical portion, and neither the first vertical portion nor thesecond vertical portion is coplanar with the center vertical portion.12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality ofproducts held in a continuous fashion within the body, the productshaving a perforation between respective ones of the plurality ofproducts for individual dispensing from the body when in the displaystate.
 13. An apparatus for transporting and displaying products, theapparatus comprising: a body configured to hold product, the body havingat least a top portion, a front portion, and a bottom portion; a lidconnected to the body, the lid having a first horizontal portion and asecond horizontal portion; wherein, when the body is in a closed state,the lid is configured to have the first horizontal portion cover the topportion of the body and the second horizontal portion cover at least aportion of the front portion of the body; and wherein, when the body isin a display state, at least a portion of the lid is configured toextend vertically, the vertical extension including at least a portionof the first horizontal portion and a least a portion of the secondhorizontal portion, at least a portion of the lid is vertically foldedsuch one portion of the lid is not coplanar to another portion of thelid, and products are dispensed through an opening in at least one ofthe top portion, the front, portion or the bottom portion.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein at least one of the top portion or thebottom portion includes a cover with at least one hole, the frontportion includes a channel for dispensing of the products, and when thebody is in an open state, the at least one hole in the cover allowsfingers to contact the products and push them through the channel. 15.The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the front portion of the bodyincludes a slot that resists dispensing of the products when stored andallows dispensing of the products with minimal force, and the body lacksa serrated edge.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the frontportion includes at least one slot, and the lid further comprises a tiphaving at least one tab configured for insertion into the at least oneslot when the body is in the closed state.
 17. The apparatus of claim13, wherein the body includes a serrated edge on the front portion ofthe body.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the serrated edge islocated adjacent to a top portion of the body.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the serrated edge is located adjacent to the bottomportion of the body.
 20. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: aplurality of products held in a continuous fashion within the body, theproducts having a perforation between respective ones of plurality ofproducts for individual dispensing from the body when in the displaystate.